National treasure and comedy legend, John Cleese, is supporting the Born Free Foundation's fight against the international wildlife trade. Worth over £14 billion a year, this endless exploitation is causing unimaginable suffering whilst depleting numbers to the brink of extinction.

This has to stop.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has a responsibility to improve protection for endangered species that are threatened by international trade. The 17th Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17) met in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 24th September-5th October 2016.

"Born Free went to the CITES meeting with one aim only - to try and persuade the delegates from over 180 countries to vote for measures that bring greater protection, enhance the survival of the species and reduce animal suffering."